Gold Coast Games secured our spot in world’s eyes
TAKE a bow Gold Coast.
During the bid phase to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games back in 2010/11, I was surprised when we introduced ourselves at the various Commonwealth regional meetings as being from the Gold Coast and the response was often, “which one?”
As we found, there were six or seven Gold Coasts around the world, many of them holiday destinations.
After our city hosted one of the world’s largest sporting events, the biggest in Australia this decade and biggest to be held on the Gold Coast and in Queensland – on time and on budget – we have become part of the international conversation.
We saw international news services run numerous articles and many editorials appeared in newspapers such as the New York Times and New Delhi Times, the UK’s BBC broadcast live from our glorious beaches, all promoting the city, its beauty and capabilities.
The XXI Commonwealth Games will be remembered for many reasons, not least because of the number of ‘firsts’ the world witnessed during 12 days of sensational competition and entertaining arts and culture events.
They will be remembered for fulfilling the promise of inclusiveness and equality – the Games that delivered for the first time an equal number of medals for men and women, the first reconciliation action plan for a major event, and the biggest integrated para sport program in Commonwealth Games history.
The way these initiatives were embraced with such enthusiasm by us will be forever remembered by our athletes and international visitors.
Among the many accolades won by the Games was the Australian Human Rights Award, perhaps the most pleasing as it recognised GC2018 had gone well beyond being a sporting event.
As Dame Louise Martin, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation highlighted, these were inspirational Games that set a high benchmark for the future.
The 11 magnificent days of sport showcased front and centre the strength and capability of our athletes and the ability for the Gold Coast and Queensland to deliver a truly world class event in venues and associated infrastructure that were delivered to a world-class standard with an Athletes’ Village widely considered the best ever.
The passion of spectators in Australia and abroad was remarkable with an incredible 98% of tickets sold ensuring packed stadia and venues, with an estimated cumulative television audience of over 1.5 billion worldwide viewers – 16 million Australian viewers alone – giving GC2018 the greatest reach of any Commonwealth Games.
Approximately 15,000 Games Shapers (volunteers) played a pivotal role in shaping an unforgettable experience for everyone – helping show the world how proud, vibrant, committed and friendly the Gold Coast and the Queensland community is.
The planning and roll out of the Games was a huge undertaking and great credit must go to the 1800 GOLDOC staff, government and city staff and the 40,000 contractors for a job well done.
This was a truly collective effort. The platform has now been set for the benefits of hosting such a magnificent event to generate great opportunities for the city and state, many already delivered since the Games.